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How do I choose a good one? I would prefer a young red/blue and be peacefull if possible.

Keith



Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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What tail type would you like?

If you are planning on mixing it with some very peaceful fish, you are best off getting a young one that has been socialised and not jarred, or at least not jarred for most of its life.

Otherwise, just choose a healthy one. preferably 3-4 days fater the shipment comes in, as they have a tendancy to drop dead or show disease in that time.

The edges of the fins should NOT look like melted rope, or be red and fraying.
The body should look glossy and the scales should look even.


If the rays of the fin are all uniformly extended, that is OK.



I know of two blue/red short tails (plakats) looking for good homes if you would like, but I think you were after a VT.


AVIOD HM. I know it sounds over-reactionary, but they are very hard to maintain. The tails themselves need to be excercised every day, and the fish are pretty well inbred to the point that a majority are neurotic and really, a neurotic fish with a huge tail? They just eat it off.
Fish that are suspected of being HM are often isolated from a very young age and have little to no social interaction, and have no clue on how to handle the outside world.
If you want the full tail look, go for a superdelta. Less financial outlay, less maintenance, and more often than not, a well balanced fish
There are situations where a HM tail can be maintained, but as your first betta, I wouldn't like to risk it.


For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Just to add to what Calla has said. Look for fish in clean water, not fouled up with waste and food. If they have a bubble nest going that is also a good sign of a healthy fish. Also if they flare at another fish. Some signs to watch out for are clamped fins, a cloudy eye, lethagy, holes in fins, any off colour patching on thier body.

___________________________________________

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

To add to what has already been said: I've had luck finding peaceful females in a store by setting their cup next to a male. He will most likely see her and flare, and the female will either look at him with an expression of "Ho hum. Am I supposed to be impressed?" or flare back at him. If she exhibits reaction A, she's most likely a nice little girl. If she falres, she'll most likely shred any fins that go by her. My method certainly isn't scientific, and I'm sure it isn't 100% accurate, but I've had success with it.

Let me put it this way: I had 3 girls in a 2.5g without a single scuffle. Racso tried it and, well, let's just say he claims he'll never try it again. He picked his girl strictly based on color, and I chose mine based on who showed the least aggression.

HTH

><>Dani<><

EDIT: Either, not eater

[hr width='40%']I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 10-Mar-2005 10:00

Thank you for all that info, My Aqu is very good as far as stock goes and they will get in what ever I require.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I just read the title again and realized you're looking for a MALE :%) Sorry, I guess I was really tired when I looked at it the first time and thought feamle for some reason. Sorry about that!

*smacks herself with a fish*

><>Dani<><

[hr width='40%']I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 11-Mar-2005 09:50

The lawn gnome girl has a point, even if she doesn't know the difference between boys and girls.

For example, I pushed my betta's tanks together. One of them rushed to the glass and started flaring like there was no tomorrow. Then the other one came to the glass, and darted back. A few moments later, he did this "you can't scare me" thing and went back up to the glass. Then he darted away again. Needless to say, the 2nd one was fine with my other fish. The 1st one, I wouldn't trust at all. As for red/blue, those are the most popular colors. I don't think you will have any trouble with that.

Last edited by djtj at 13-Mar-2005 11:10

oh I live in sydney!! plakats please!!